Re: More '90 CQ steering help needed

["Michael Benno" <mbenno@northstar-mn.com>]

Eric:

I had a similar problem. I was getting a very audible groaning (creaking)
when turning the stearing wheel. The noise became worse over time and grew
to the entire range of turning.

I tracked the problem down to the Link Rod. The Link Rod connects the front
sway bar to the upper strut assembly and has ball joints on each end. The
noise was comming from the joint.The rubber boots on the ball joint had
cracked and the steel ball had rusted and was grinding at the nylon socket.
 I removed the link rod and regreased the joints. This solved the noise
problem. This was a very simple job and took about an hour.

To identify this problem: put the front of the car up on jack stands, have
someone turn the wheel (engine off) and place your hand on the Link Rod,
you should feel the grinding in the vibrations.

BTW: there is a Technical Service Update for these Rods, Aparently, they
are too long and should be replaced with a shorter version. I think this
only applies to 80/90 models and not the coupes. Anyway, I can fax you a
copy which has a picture of the link rod.


> O.K., O.K., so this isn't _exactly_ the same problem, but it _is_ a
> steering problem.  I've noticed a distinct groan while turning the wheel
> hard (e.g., parallel parking).